Guwahati: Three leaders of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), arrested after violence during a black-flag bike rally in Shillong, were remanded in 14 days’ judicial custody by the District and Sessions Judge, Shillong, on Thursday.
KSU president Raymond Kharjana, vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar were arrested late on Wednesday night and taken to Sadar police station. They were produced before the court on Thursday morning.
The arrests followed clashes, stone-pelting and vandalism at several locations across Shillong during the rally. Police said at least 31 vehicles were damaged, while several people were allegedly assaulted and injured. Vehicles registered outside Meghalaya were also targeted, and a government vehicle was set on fire.
Police sources said the three leaders were booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in connection with alleged damage to public property, assaults and other offences.
The KSU had organised the rally to protest what it described as the Meghalaya government’s failure to act on a five-point charter of demands submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on August 4. The students’ union had given the government 15 days to respond.
The demands include implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), legislation regulating migrant workers, reforms in government recruitment and action over recruitment-related concerns at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS).
The union has also sought cancellation of the July 31 public hearing for the proposed Shree Cement project in East Jaiñtia Hills. and action against officials over alleged excessive use of force during the hearing. It has also renewed its demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Meghalaya.
The rally later turned violent, with reports of stone-pelting, assaults and vehicle damage from several parts of the city. Police said the incidents violated the conditions under which permission for the rally had been granted and warned of strict action.
KSU leaders later expressed regret over the violence but claimed unidentified miscreants had infiltrated the rally to damage property, discredit the organisation and disrupt its movement.
Later on Wednesday night, police also raided the KSU office in Jaiaw. Tear gas was reportedly used during the operation.
The arrest of the union’s top leadership has escalated tensions following the rally, as police continue to investigate the violence and damage reported across Shillong.